Applicants – Escape From Kraken Castle

It may not have been their intention, but Applicants have created something immensely rare with Escape From Kraken Castle – more enjoyment is to be found reading the tracklisting than listening to the record itself. While it is difficult not to admire any band who will christen their songs with such names as Tesco Metro Disco or Robert Mugabe, their actual content goes little further than merely reminding the listener that the song is indeed about Tesco Metro or Robert Mugabe.

This delicate procedure is performed through repeated cries of “Tesco Metro” or “Robert Mugabe” atop reasonably energetic but non-terrifying punk riffs and occasional sound-effect or piece of quirky instrumentation (the recorder solo during Since Porn Took Over The World is undoubtedly this album’s highlight), though the mixture lacks anything close to the musical imagination of, for example, Deerhoof. The London quartet seem to be doing their damndest to pull off cute and off-the-wall, rendering Kraken Castle an often irritating affair. [Mark Holland]